Why Clean Mate Cups?
Proper cleaning enhances flavor and safety. Remove used herbal tea with a spoon, not the straw which can scratch the cup. Rinse thoroughly after each use, especially if adding sweeteners. Clean weekly with soap and water. Replace natural gourds every 3-6 months.
How to Clean a Mate Cup
To clean a mate cup, use a spoon to scrape out the herbal tea. Wooden cups should be inspected for cracks or mold. Wash with soap and water then air dry completely.
Can I use wooden cups for hot drinks?
Yes, but take care to fully dry them.
Seasoning a Mate Cup
To prepare mate the traditional way: Grab your gourd, and fill up two-thirds of it with some loose-leaf mate.
Types of Mate Cups
Mate cups come in all shapes, sizes, and materials:
- from bone to silicone
- wood to ceramic
- glass, metal and gourd.
Mate gourd are natural cups from the plant Lagenaria Vulgaris which come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They need to be ‘cured’ before its first use. These are the most common types of mate cups.
Do you have to cure a wooden gourd?
Curing your wooden mate gourd will help ensure that it lasts longer and preserves its flavor over time. Fill your gourd with boiling water until full and let sit overnight (8-10 hours). This will expand the wood fibers in the gourd so they can absorb more liquid later on.
How Long Do Mate Cups Last?
A mate cup can last several years with proper care. Clean it after every use and prevent mold growth. My 2+ year old gourd still works like new. I prefer the traditional cup because it enhances the flavor. While any cup works, reusable ones are more sustainable and fully enjoy mate’s benefits.
It’s something of a debate, which tea is better for the health (green or mate) but you may get your daily fill of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from mate, if you sip on it continuously for several weeks or months.
The FDA recognizes mate as a legal botanical herb, not a controlled substance. An average cup contains 80mg caffeine – almost twice black tea but less than half coffee.